Patio homes being built in Manorfield subdivision

Published: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 06:03 PM.

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Manorfield initially had a different name and building plan. Back in 2006, it was going to be an assortment of townhouses under the name Arbor Glen Villas.

Parker said that while the real estate market is staging a resurgence, he doesn’t expect a rebound in the sale of townhouses anytime soon. That’s why the plan for the property was switched to free-standing patio homes and the subdivision’s name changed to Manorfield.

The subdivision’s patio homes have building lots of 5,500 square feet each while the houses range in size from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. The houses in neighboring Arbor Creek are single-family and have lots of 7,500 square feet.

Parker said Manorfield will eventually be filled with about 73 patio homes (the original plan called for 94 townhouses). Arbor Creek has 99 of its original 154 lots still available. Roads will connect the subdivisions.

Parker said he’s hoping construction in Manorfield will be finished in about two-and-a-half years – all its patio homes occupied.

Matthew Winslow of Winslow Custom Homes said he doesn’t think it’ll take that long. He’s about to finish his fifth house in Manorfield. They’re spec houses – built on the speculation they’ll sell. Construction began last fall.

They’re quality houses, both Parker and Winslow said, inviting anyone with a shred of interest to come by for a look. The sign at the entrance to the subdivision advertises prices starting in the neighborhood of $155,000.

MEBANE – Jim Parker was plenty optimistic when, in March 2006, he began developing what’s now the Manorfield subdivision.

It’s a development of patio homes being built off Old Hillsborough Road. It’s a mile from Mebane-Oaks Road to the north and two miles from N.C. 119 to the south. It’s not far from Hawfields Middle School and Audrey Garrett Elementary.

The location is country, yet close to city amenities and the interstate. The project seemed ideal.

Then the economy and housing market both tanked and developers like Parker suffered.

“Within about eight months to a year, it turned into a bad time,” said Parker, a manager/owner of Old Hillsborough Partners. “Everything died. It was painful.”

At long last, the hurt is beginning to go away. Houses are being built in the Manorfield subdivision as well as in neighboring Arbor Creek subdivision. Parker is the developer there, too.

“Things are starting to catch on for us,” he said. “It’s certainly coming back. There’s been an uptick in interest in these lots.”

Manorfield initially had a different name and building plan. Back in 2006, it was going to be an assortment of townhouses under the name Arbor Glen Villas.

Parker said that while the real estate market is staging a resurgence, he doesn’t expect a rebound in the sale of townhouses anytime soon. That’s why the plan for the property was switched to free-standing patio homes and the subdivision’s name changed to Manorfield.

The subdivision’s patio homes have building lots of 5,500 square feet each while the houses range in size from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. The houses in neighboring Arbor Creek are single-family and have lots of 7,500 square feet.

Parker said Manorfield will eventually be filled with about 73 patio homes (the original plan called for 94 townhouses). Arbor Creek has 99 of its original 154 lots still available. Roads will connect the subdivisions.

Parker said he’s hoping construction in Manorfield will be finished in about two-and-a-half years – all its patio homes occupied.

Matthew Winslow of Winslow Custom Homes said he doesn’t think it’ll take that long. He’s about to finish his fifth house in Manorfield. They’re spec houses – built on the speculation they’ll sell. Construction began last fall.

They’re quality houses, both Parker and Winslow said, inviting anyone with a shred of interest to come by for a look. The sign at the entrance to the subdivision advertises prices starting in the neighborhood of $155,000.

Winslow said he hasn’t been disappointed with his decision to build there – with a couple of houses already sold and closing on another expected before the end of the week. Winslow plans to continue building in the subdivision and has a contract for his first pre-sale there.

He noted houses are usually easier to sell in subdivisions where there are previous constructions and sales. That’s the case now with Manorfield, with several completed houses close to the subdivision’s entrance.

“It makes people comfortable it’s a viable neighborhood,” Winslow said of the sight of finished houses.